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Original “Witchblade” Anime to Debut on Japanese TV

GDH K.K (“GDH”; HQ: Tokyo; President: Shinichiro Ishikawa) announced today
that GDH has obtained the rights to create an animated version of the popular
US comic Witchblade by Top Cow Productions, Inc. (“Top Cow”; HQ: California,
USA; President & COO: Matt Hawkins). GDH group company GONZO K.K. (“GONZO”;
HQ: Tokyo; President: Koji Kajita) will create the animation.

Witchblade has been a very popular American comic published by Top Cow
Productions for more than 10 years. Product and media spinoffs have included
successful toy lines, and a live-action TV drama. The concept of this
action/adventure fantasy involves the Witchblade itself, an ancient weapon passed down
throughout time, that selects one female bearer each generation. The original
Witchblade concept is used in the Witchblade animated series, but the story has been
localized for the Japanese market by Gonzo. The main character is a
Japanese woman, and the setting is Tokyo of the near future . GONZO’s strength in 3D
CG will be used to create impressive action scenes surrounding the main
character.

Witchblade will air every Thursday morning on Japanese TV’s CBC, beginning
Thursday April 6th at 1:45 am, and every Saturday morning on TBS, beginning
Saturday April 8th at 2:25 am. Also, prior to its TV run, Internet previews will
be available to a limited number of applicants via Web sites such as BIGLOBE
and ShowTime. Previews will run for three days from Friday, March 31st to Sunday
April 2nd.

GONZO titles have received high ratings overseas, and GDH will take this
opportunity to further disseminate the GONZO brand inside and outside Japan while
attempting to expand its business opportunities, including secondary use of
titles, and will make a continuing effort to provide excellent titles based on
the unique nature of Japanese animation.

Top Cow Productions, Inc. was founded in 1992 by artist Marc Silvestri who
co-founded the revolutionary Image Comics. Top Cow publishes its line of comic
books in 21 languages in over 55 different countries. The company has
launched 20 franchises (18 original and 2 licensed) in the industry’s Top 10, seven
at #1, a feat accomplished by no other publisher in the last two decades. Its
flagship franchise Witchblade was TNT’s #1 original film of 2000. Virtually all
of Top Cow’s other properties are in development as feature films, live
action television or animation. Top Cow has also successfully licensed and
merchandised its franchises into toys, statues, clothing, lithographs, puppets,
posters, magnets, shot glasses, lighters, lunch pails, wall scrolls, mouse pads, die
cast cars, calendars, Christmas ornaments, Halloween masks, trading cards,
standees, video games and role playing games.

GDH (Security code: TSE Mothers 3755) is a globally-focused Japanese media
company founded in February 2000. The group produces cutting edge
entertainment for teens and young adults including the famous GONZO animation brand
and
for kids and family under the recently launched GONZO FILMS and GONZINO brands.
GDH is a world leader in content development that actively targets both
domestic and international audiences with Japan’s trend-setting animation culture
and, usually, GDH controls licensing management and international distribution
for the content it produces. GDH group companies include GONZO K.K., G-creators
K.K., Future Vision Music K.K., GONZINO K.K., GONZO Rosso Online K.K., GDH
Capital K.K. and GK Entertainment K.K.
For additional information, visit www.gdh.co.jp (for GDH) and
http://www.gonzo.co.jp/index.html (for GONZO).